Greenwald requests interview with Petraeus.
Greenwald requests interview with Petraeus.
Andrew Sullivan notes that Salon’s Glenn Greenwald “tests the ideological waters” and requests an interview with Gen. David Petraeus, who recently gave an interview to right-wing blogger Hugh Hewitt:
As a fervent supporter of the Bush administration and the Iraq war, Hewitt’s questions were, as one would expect, designed to enable Gen. Petraeus to make statements without any questioning or challenge.
As I am much more of a war skeptic than Hewitt, both the questions I would pose and the audience which would be exposed to the interview would be different than the one Gen. Petraeus conducted with Hewitt. It is my sincere hope that Gen. Petraeus, in order to facilitate as honest and robust a public discussion as possible, is willing to discuss the situation in Iraq and the merits of the current strategy with both supporters and critics of the initiative.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
I suspect the General will grant the interview. He serves the American people, after all.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:08 pmWho requests interview with Petraeus?
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:08 pmGreenwald is a giant! But I doubt he’s holding his breath in anticipation of that interview.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:08 pmI hope it doesn’t, but I’m pretty sure that request will come back stamped DENIED.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:09 pmMaybe I’m being naive, but I hope the General is not an ideological purist (although the fact that Bush went through so many before finding one who ould do his bidding is troubling) and will respect a polite request from a responsible journalist.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:11 pmExecutive Privilege!!!!!
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:17 pmBush will forbid it.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:20 pmIf Petreus doesn’t agree, it’s a scandal, and there should be hearings to discuss this clear politicization of the military.
There’s absolutely no good reason why he should agree to an interveiw with Hewitt and not Greenwald, and the Congress should raise questions if the request is denied.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:21 pmExecutive Privilege!!!!!
Comment by Chimp
Nice one, Chimp. Now run along to your wire cage mommy, it has a new bottle in it.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:21 pmcan congress use inherent contempt on a general? who’s in command of an actual war?!
that would be awesome.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:21 pmAn interview with Greenwald will not end up being all roses with no weeds. Glenn knows what’s happening both here in America( assault on the constitution and the rule of law) and King George’s folly in Iraq.
He is a lawyer who knows how to act like a journalist and ask probing questions of which he has great knowledge of, unlike many of the schmucks who “talk” for the other side.
Glenn is in my opinion the best translator of Bush BS in the blogosphere. I like to say that Glenn translates King George BS into terms and concepts that people understand, and that the translations aint pretty.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:22 pmBe-Tray-Us will never be allowed to talk to him.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:23 pmIs this near-beer in my bottle?
Coz I’m not supposed to have no alcohol.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:28 pmThis would be like putting sand in their oil.They have way too many filters to prevent that.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:34 pmThe truth may be a forign language to him anyway and the questions would seem unrealistic and cover subjects he has never memorized.
Too grainy.
And they can’t give him the forget everything pill because he’s in charge of the guns and bombs and stuff.
I doubt that the Petraus will consent to the interview, even if he did, I have a feeling Bush and the ever secretive Cheney will deny Greenwald access to Petraus.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:34 pmIs this near-beer in my bottle?
Coz I’m not supposed to have no alcohol.
Comment by Chimp
It’s breast milk from your Mama Babs, just like always,
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:35 pmyou poor thing….er, hun.Greenwald wants an interview with the general so he can email it to the enemy.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:36 pmThis is a blast of fresh air. Finally, the progressives are using the same tools to disclose information that the regressives have been using for a decade.
His 1987 doctoral dissertation was “The American Military and the Lessons of Vietnam: A Study of Military Influence and the Use of Force in the Post-Vietnam Era”. Unless he is more political than military, I would find it difficult for him not to answer Glenn’s questions correctly and thoroughly. He certainly has had a long to think about the “lessons of Vietnam” and explain why that isn’t happening now in Iraq…hasn’t he?
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:37 pm“there should be hearings”
All the Dems can do is talk about it. They have no acomplishments for this congress. Any wonder why their approval rating is down the toilet.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:38 pm“a responsible journalist.”
Greenwald is not a responsible journalist.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:39 pmPetraeus is pre-determined to paint a rosy picture in Iraq, telling us that all is fine and dandy. His job depends on this September report after all.
Do not believe General Be-tray-us.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:39 pmI’m never going to try fighting a war as the leader of a democracy again. It’s too hard.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:40 pm“I suspect the General will grant the interview. He serves the American people, after all.”
Greenwald doesn’t, though.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:40 pm“Greenwald is a giant!”
A giant turd, maybe.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:41 pmI read Glenn daily, and so should everyone. True can’t-miss stuff — especially for “Eck.”
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:42 pmDrop dead, “the Eck.” Clearly you are a hyper-Republican waterboy, and God knows we have enough of those in the White House.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:43 pmThe Glenn Greenwald Sock Puppet Story, From Start To (Almost) Finish
Sticky.
Instapundit has linked my main page on the Greenwald sock-puppet/lying story, but most of the Greenwald stuff isn’t here. Here are the key links in this story:
Shawn started the ball rolling by noting that many of Glenn Greenwald’s on-line defenders seemed to use very similar language, causing suspicion that these fake internet posters, or “sock-puppets,” were actually Glenn Greenwald himself.
A poster calling himself “Ellison,” defending Greenwald on this site, is found, conclusively, to have the same IP as Glenn Greenwald himself, posting on Patterico’s site. (Note: This article is written humorously, and is very long, because half of it is jokes. A briefer digest is available at Patterico’s, if you just want to get to the point. Read Patterico for the digest, read me for the jokes.)
Then more sock-puppets — “Thomas Ellers,” “Ryan,” and “Wilson” — were discovered on other websites, all somehow using Greenwald’s IP address (i.e., the specific internet address identifying your computer on the internet network).
Greenwald denies with a vague insinuation his “Magic Boyfriend” is obsessively trolling rightwing sites defending him under assumed names.
Another sock-puppet discovered, again obsessively defending Glenn Greenwald, this time under the name “Rick Ellensburg.” Worse yet, “Rick Ellensburg” is shown to use many of the same tics in writing style as Glenn Greenwald. (And of course he shares Greenwald’s IP as well.)
Even worse– the final nail in the coffin. While the previous post demonstrated “Rick Ellensburg” regurgitating Glenn Greenwald’s arguments, in his writing style, a closer examination shows he also PREgurgitates Glenn Greenwald’s arguments, writing comments very similar to Glenn Greenwald posts the day before Glenn Greenwald actually writes them on his blog.
Additional similarities in the writing style of Glenn Greenwald and his sock-puppets discovered, further undermining the already-preposterous claim that it is his “Magic Boyfriend” writing these posts.
Note: The timestamp of this post has been manually manipulated to keep it at the top of the blog, as the “latest” post, as Instapundit is directing traffic to the front page of this blog.
It’s been made “sticky.” I don’t know how to do that other than to set the timestamp ahead by several hours.
http://ace.mu.nu/archives/187585.php
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:44 pm“Drop dead, “the Eck.—
That’s what Democrats say to taxpayers.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:45 pm“I read Glenn daily, and so should everyone.”
Explains your perverted worldview.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:45 pmGreenwald is not a responsible journalist.
Comment by The Eck — July 23, 2007 @ 10:39 pm
Any evidence behind this bold accusation?
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:48 pmAll the Dems can do is talk about it. They have no acomplishments for this congress. Any wonder why their approval rating is down the toilet.
Comment by The Eck
================
Yes isn’t it amazing how the Democrats are being held responsible by the Democratic voters of America and being criticized for NOT twisting Dubya’s balls tighter?
Whereas, Republicans keep on DROOLING around George’s member and still are mumbling, “CLAP LOUDER!!!”
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:51 pm““Drop dead, “the Eck.â€â€
That’s what Democrats say to taxpayers.
Comment by The Eck”
Huh? It’s not the democrats sending taxpayers to die overseas in other countries civil wars…
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:52 pmDrooling around my member?
I thought that was just me.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:52 pmAny evidence behind this bold accusation?
Comment by mikey r
Don’t bother to respond to Ick. You just encourage it. Best just scrape it off your shoe and move on.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:52 pmI used to like Greenwald, but Eck’s stirring “sock puppet” & “magic boyfriend” post has set me free.
Thanks Eck.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:53 pm“Huh? It’s not the democrats sending taxpayers to die overseas in other countries civil wars…”
That’s the first thing Hillary or Obama would do in Darfur. But neither one of them is going to make it to the White House where Fred Thompson is going to live.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:54 pmWhat is The Eck. I went to the TP facebook page for its entry and find no link. At least I reveal my name there. These neocons are all cowards like W and Deadeye.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:55 pmThanks,m gummitch. You’re right. Trolls are like pigeons — they strut around pecking at crap on teh ground, and if you throw tem a piece of a taco shell they multiply. And The Hack isn’t even smart for a troll.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:57 pmThe NERVE of this BLOGGER wanting to QUESTION the Great and Mighty General in charge of the Epic War of Civilizations Against the Islamofascist Terror Threat of this Generation!!
9-11 would be very upset about this if 9-11 hadn’t changed everything.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:03 pmeck #27 I had a King George moment… I fell asleep after the first sentence. Please help us Conservative supporters of your views follow along and shorten your propaganda.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:03 pmAnd don’t forget to keep repeating the propaganda.
That works good for me.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:05 pmWhat I find funny is Eck complaining about someone useing mulitiple screen names to defend his position.
Pot meet Kettle
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:06 pmWhat I find funny is Eck complaining about someone useing mulitiple screen names to defend his position.
Pot meet Kettle
Comment by Krazny — July 23, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
We’ve got a patent infringement suit all lined up for Mr. Greenwald.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:09 pmYeas, yoo most proopel zee propeganda. ZIEG HIEL!
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:16 pmlibs always want USA USA USA to fail in war
libs cheer for the enemy while taxing poor RICH republicans
libs basically run the media – so letting Greenwald interview
the GENERAL – would make it so lopsided, Hewitt interview
is the least the LIBERAL media can deal with.
libs are ALWAYS partisan and ALWAYS wrong
libs defend Clinton the liar while attacking Bush who can
do no wrong (he did say he never made a mistake)
libs HATE – just look how they went after poor Vitter who
was merely being a guy. :(
Since republicans WON both the last elections – and Bush CLEARLY
won – then it matters not that only 30% of the population supports
him – he only has to please them. :)
He is the father figure, the protector – the tough man’s man
and he is the UNITARY EXECUTIVE – and what he says goes
deal with it.
If a lib challenges me – or provides links to facts – I will simply
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:20 pmrefuse to directly respond to said facts – and just repeat the
vaunted phrase-of-the day that I heard Rush say this morning.
or was it Hannity>
Ahh yes Eck has surfaced… Pasting his propaganda for all to see. Please once again, make it shorter with smaller words so we Conservatives can read along.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:31 pmOf course Greenwald won’t get an interview; I rather suspect he won’t even get a reply. Greenwald knows this, of course; this is political theater to make a point.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:32 pmRevise your stuff… there has been an election since this crap:
Since republicans WON both the last elections – and Bush CLEARLY
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:34 pmwon – then it matters not that only 30% of the…
What happened to Lute? Is Patreus the Uber-War Czar and Lute just the War Czar?
Yeah, I concur…no way does Patreus get to talk to Greenwald, Bush’s Brain won’t allow it.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:43 pmsatire eludes mediadog…..
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:54 pmAny evidence behind this bold accusation?
Comment by mikey r
Don’t bother to respond to Ick. You just encourage it. Best just scrape it off your shoe and move on.
Comment by gummitch — July 23, 2007 @ 10:52 pm
I actually think mikey r’s response is legitimate. He didn’t call a name, he didn’t give legitimacy to an irrational statement by trying to rebutt it. I think it’s good to make someone like “The Eck” articulate their position.
Sure, “The Eck” will get verbally abusive, condescending, and haughty, but in the end, it’s going to collapse because there is no real facts behind the attitude. We’re not the only ones who see these exchanges. People come thru here all the time, read the threads, and don’t post. They’re studying this and taking in all in. The more you can force someone like “The Eck” to overextend, trying to prop up their own words, the harder you can drop them when the time comes.
Hang them w/ their own words. Judo in action. Good reply, mikey r.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:30 amWhat is The Eck?
Comment by WaltTheMan
The Oakland A’s used to have a really good reliever named Dennis Eckersley. His nickname was “The Eck”. I suspect that is probably where this particular individual got the name from. Doesn’t tell you he is, but at least that might where the anme comes from. Last week there was someoen posting under the name “Rick Sutcliffe”, another ex-pitcher. Just might be the same person. Hard to believe its strictly a coincidence.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:35 amIf he serves the people, of course he should say yes to the interview. If he’s a tool of the administration, he’ll say no, or Bush will assert some sort of executive privilege to prevent him from talking to someone who might ask the tough questions or be critical of his answers.
July 24th, 2007 at 2:08 amI know Glenn is great but I would like to see Juan Cole ask the questions.
July 24th, 2007 at 2:42 amThe point here is Glenn has set a new standard for investigative , well just plain regular, journalism and the roll of the press and it’s theoretical role in questioning our government and holding it accountable. Doesn’t seem to sock puppetesque to me to ask an honest question or two and then actually pursue the depth and accuracy of the response from our elected and appointed officials independently of political leanings. You know just the facts,which have seem to become a rare commodity in the last 6 years.
July 24th, 2007 at 3:25 amGood for Greenwald, he is a giant. Betrayus has a terrible reputation, he was involved in mass murder even before he was appointed to this last position. He was there and implicated in the supposed suicide of an honorable Col. Westlaung who was investigating the theft of billions of US dollars and Blackwater and other mercenary atrocities.
July 24th, 2007 at 4:48 amGreenwald wants an interview with the general so he can email it to the enemy.
Comment by The Eck — July 23, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
——————————————-
You know what, The Eck?
You’re absolutely right!!! Greenwald is working for the enemy.
July 24th, 2007 at 7:51 amIt’s STILL “different from”, not “different than”.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:01 am“Bush will forbid it.
Comment by VerbalKint ”
No, the real Commander in Chief, Dick Chaney, will deny it.
What is with this idiot Eck. Is this the best they can do for a troll? He’s pathetic.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:09 amHow can you complain about Greenwald’s lack of access when Democratic presidential contenders won’t debate on Fox?
July 24th, 2007 at 9:32 amPatreaus has fallen in love with himself and seems now to have grand delusions like General MacArthur. He has prepared all his life for battle and he is clearly in love with the power and thrills of the occupation. If given the chance, he and the other Generals would occupy Iraq for ever. That is what they do. So why are we waiting for the Generals to tell us what to do in Iraq in September? The whole basis for that assumption is ludicrous, and MSM once again does nothing to challenge it. These are geo-political, strategic matters, not just tactical military maneuvers.
Patreaus also has political ambitions. His rationales for US military action are utterly foolish and propaganda to keep his war fun going, and to solidify his base on the extreme right wing of the Republican party. He has done a miserable job articulating clear military objectives and goals. He has failed to garner bipartisan respect, trust or support.
Get rid of Patreaus and get our troops out of the cross hairs of this civil war.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:49 amWe occuppied Germany and Japan for very many years after WWII. So instead of crazy Japanese flying planes into our ships or Communist Germans killing Jewish people, we enjoy a free exchange of trade and cultures with two wonderfully free societies. Maybe American presence in Iraq for a few decades wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Don’t be so short sighted (and opportunist).
July 24th, 2007 at 10:00 amHe wouldn’t want to leave the impression that the American military is the armed wing of the Republican Party, would he?
July 24th, 2007 at 10:49 amIt’s an interview…it will be on his blog like the hundreds of other interviews that Petraeus does are on TV and in print.
Eck – Did you really think that through before you started typing?
July 24th, 2007 at 12:22 pmCommunist Germans killing Jewish people? Don’t you mean Nazis?
Not saying that the DDR government and their Soviet masters didn’t come down hard on the remaining Jews in Germany, but they didn’t carry out genocide against them, either.
Whether we are in a war or an occupation in Iraq, you can’t compare it to post-war Germany/Japan, because of the fact that there weren’t any American casualities due to enemy action in either Germany or Japan after the end of World War II.
Also, US forces in both Germany and Japan by the early 1950s had gone from being occupiers trying to stabilize those countries to being a protection force against Soviet aggression.
July 24th, 2007 at 4:20 pmRick,
you’re right about the communists. but can you envision a U.S. protection force in Iraq protecting secular Iraqis from an Islamic fundamentalist theocracy? Iran? Al Qaeda? Is western style democracy worth fighting for? If you incrementally capitulate western ideals to Islamic fundamentalists won’t you eventually be fighting Islamic fundamentalism idealism here, for you family? Do you want to wait for that?
July 24th, 2007 at 5:16 pmWho are the secular Iraqis? Who exactly are our friends, and who are our enemies in Iraq?
If Iran wants to invade Iran, why are they talking to the US and Iraq about improving security in Iraq?
I still believe that al Qaeda is a threat, so it pisses me the hell off to hear that they have been allowed to regain their strength. As it should any American.
And there was nothing in my post that stated that I in any way wanted to “capitulate” to Islamic fundamentalism. Finding a way out of Iraq that isn’t the White House’s Wile E. Coyote method isn’t capitulating.
Does Islamic fundamentalism pose a threat to my family? Possibly, but so does domestic terrorism in this country, and it seems that threat, while growing, is flying under the radar.
But one thing is for sure, any foreign threat to this great nation of ours is not going to come via Baghdad.
July 24th, 2007 at 7:52 pmWhy doesn’t Glenn make his questions for the general public? Or perhaps E-mail them to him?
I mean, seriously, is this a joke? Glenn is a smart (and arrogant) man but why on earth would the general take time out his busy day to talk with someone who has such a small readership?
July 25th, 2007 at 4:51 am